Coach Yourself To Success – Step 2: Set SMART Objectives

“If you don’t know where you are going, you might as well never get there” Anonymous

Looking back, we learned the first way to success is to know what you want and learn to help yourself to get it. Let’s understand step 2.

In “The Little Book of Coaching,” Ken Blanchard and Don Shula say, “A broad target that’s easy to achieve leads to the ‘puddle’ of mediocrity.” So, the next step is to express “what you want” as a clear and precise aim.  Each and every one of us has goals in life. Our goals are broad and only clearly defined objectives can get us to achieving these goals. This might seem like an unnecessary step, but it’s really important. A properly defined objective will act as a motivator. It will help you prevent yourself from backing away from the things you SHOULD be doing, but perhaps don’t really WANT to do.

Use the SMART acronym to help you structure your objectives. SMART stands for:

• Specific.
• Measurable.
• Achievable.
• Relevant.
• Time-bound. (I shall publish another article on How to Set  SMART Objectives)

Setting a time frame is very important, because it’s easy to delay dealing with difficult issues. You would want to get rid of them as soon as possible. Your objective should be realistic and challenging: if it’s too easy, you’ll get bored and give up, and if it’s unrealistic, you’ll feel overwhelmed… and give up. You must make sure you have the resources and skills necessary to meet your objective.  The secret is to choose a date in the future that you know you can reach – this should be a date that will stretch you a little, but not add to your stress.

Write your objectives. This helps you clarify your thoughts, and it helps you see your progress as you look back over the various steps you’ve set for yourself. These steps are in other words known as milestones. Each step or milestone you attain is an important measurement for you reaching your objective. This way, you can see if you’re on track or not and evaluate your progress.

For example, James cannot talk in Public. He might set this objective: “By the end of the month, I’ll have taken a training on “Public Speaking” that will enable me overcome my stage fright and develop a structured presentation. Then I’ll make 5 Presentations to evaluate my progress.”

Take some time and think of your objectives. Try following the SMART Acronym. Evaluate just how far you have gone and make important decisions as per the future path you would take. If you have no clue, then start by identifying your life’s goals and writing down the objectives that would get you there

Step 3, can only get better. That comes up tomorrow